6.5x47 lapua

Well I went and did it. Just ordered a Savage dual port model 12 target action with a 26 inch douglas barrel and a dog tracker stock from sharpshooters Supply. Will be chambered in 6.5x47L. Now I'm gathering reloading supplies and equipment. I have RL 15,RL 17, and Varget powders with Remington,Winchester and Federal small rifle primers.I have ordered Redding Competition seating and neck sizing dies and a body die. I am now looking for reloading info for the above powders and bullet suggestions. Any help would be appreciated. If any body knows of a reloading manual with the 6.5x47l in it I would apprecate the info.
Russ

The loads and testing was done in a 6.5mm 1:8.5 twist Brux barrel. The barrel is 31.5" (long for sight radius only) but this author is of the opinion, based upon other information obtained, that velocities will be very similar with barrrels down to 28".

Chronograph Testing (October 7, 2006)

Some chrono testing was done with the 6.5 x 47 in a Remington 700 MAK Tube Gun. Here are the results, all with Reloader 15, all with BR-4 primers and all with non-moly bullets:

40 gr H4350, BR-4 Primer, Sierra 142, .012” jump (2.747” OAL), 2812 fps mean velocity, E 22, S 8 (load under compression and maybe room to squeeze .5 to 1.5 grains more powder in there but that's about it). No pressure signs or issues, but it seemed the load was approaching max, although not yet there. 2850 fps is probably do-able, but probably, above that, pressure issues will be apparent, and whether good accuracy can be obtained at 2850 fps would need to be determined as well.

There were no pressure issues with any of the H4350 loadings but with the 142 Sierra at the top loading tested (40 gr of H4350), the load is under compression, and while there may be the ability to squeeze a little more powder in there and still have no issues seating the bullet, it seemed like it was getting pretty close. H4350 is about as bulky a powder as you would want to consider using in the case.

Chronograph Testing (October 13, 2006)

37.5 gr of RL 15, BR-4 Primer, Lapua 123, in lands .010 (about 2.753" OAL) - 2966 Mean Velocity, ES 4, SD 2. This loading was found to be exceptionally accurate in the rifle, and considering the Lapua 123 Scenar has a .547 stated B.C., it is clear that the 6.5 x 47 Lapua can match the wind drift numbers and performance of the best of the 6mm "across the course" type cartridges (i.e. 6XC, 6mm/22-250, 243 Win, etc.).

37.8 gr RL 15 (a different lot than above from a different 5 lb can, because author was running out of the other lot), BR-4 Primer, Lapua 123, in lands .010" (about 2.753" OAL) - 3023 Mean Velocity, ES 15, SD 5 - this load was a little hot and had a sticky bolt lift on a number of cases so it needs to be backed off a half grain or so.

General Comments on the 6.5 x 47 Lapua:

The cartridge seems to be extremely accurate for high power rifle shooting. After setting up the rifle and doing some quick chrono testing, this author shot the last 10 rounds prone at a 100 yard slow prone target, and came up with a 10x clean. The load was 37gr RL15, a BR-4 primer, with a Sierra 120 MatchKing and .015" jump (around 2.650" OAL). Trying out a 600 yard loading, another 10x clean was shot shooting the Lapua 123's at 2969 fps with 37.5 gr of RL15 with a CCI BR-4 primer and the Lapua 123 stuck in the lands .010" (around 2.753" OAL). The Lapua 123's shot also measure .2645" in diameter, and since they are a little "fat", they do run the pressures up over the 120 and 123 Sierras that run pretty true to .264" in diameter. For the short lines the 120 Sierras shoot with stellar accuracy whether you jump them or not, and they seem to shoot just as well if you shoot them at 2800 fps or up to 3000 fps. For 600 yards, the 123 Scenar offers a great B.C. (.547) with great accuracy and velocity as well. Definitely a cartridge worth looking into for across the course shooting as well as other types of shooting and competitions.

got my old 6mm rem re barreled by krieger and recived it last july and shot approx 64 rds, this is my rifle now for every thing. its 24" with a 3.5 contour weight is 8.3 lbs with scope. i like the factory lapua ammo and its superb, but now shooting the barnes tsx 120 and they blow holes, and they are real nasty. 3 in your index finger nail at 100 yrds. rl15 39grs and cci 400 2.68 oal no signs of pressure.

130gr JLK (works well w/ any of the 130grainers).
41.7gr H-4350
BR4 primers (or 450, same primer)
loaded to AI mag length (something like 2.80" off top of my head).

Doing 2910fps and 2945fps (12' from muzzle) in two different 6.5L's that I know of (mine and a buddy's). Both rifles are 26" 8 twist (Krieger and Hart barrels). Easily sub 0.5moa at 100, have shot many 0.25moa groups with it.

Before this load, I was shooting the 140gr Berger LR-BT. 38.0gr RL-15. Which was doing 2860fps (12') out of my 26" 8twist Hart. Abandoned RL-15 due to temp. and lot-to-lot variances.